The Romantic Goodbye
A SeaTac Story
Maybe it’s my age, or wisdom that has come over time, but here is what I’m not doing anymore, I’m not starting my travels off with stress. When I’m heading out for a holiday or a work trip, I’m no longer trying to zip to the airport at the last minute, frantic from potential traffic fiascos, beads of sweat forming while I wait in the security line as my flight is currently boarding or the wild sprint to the gate. Sometimes the chaos is unavoidable, but most of the time we bring it on ourselves with poor planning.
I’ve discovered the art of the romantic goodbye.
I’ve discovered Cedarbrook Lodge.
Seattle is crazy busy, the city is active and the traffic is hectic. SeaTac International Airport is located 19 miles from downtown Seattle, or thirty minutes to an hour's drive depending on what time it is. SeaTac airport has 29 direct flights to Europe and 91 non-stop domestic flights per day. There is an average of 136,000 passengers per day that use SeaTac airport. This is all a recipe for stress.
Imagine with me, a quiet, calm, respite located 1.8 miles from the airport. Nestled among a garden of trees and resting on 18 acres. Birds chirping, bees making honey on the corner of the property, a vegetable garden steps from the kitchen, and relaxed guests.
Cedarbrook Lodge was everything we wanted, and needed, before I flew off for a 6-week trip.
My husband and I arrived early to the property and found convenient parking, opting not to valet, but noting it was an option. Doors were softly opened as we walked the entry steps, we were greeted by warm smiles at the front desk. With pre-planned reservations, we floated down the grand steps to the Spa, sunk into our robes and took deep relaxing breaths in the waiting room. An ambiance fire was glowing and soft music filled the air. We sipped on citrus water and found a stillness in the waiting. I enjoyed a full-body massage while my husband enjoyed a reflexology foot massage. For the next hour, we wiped away the hustle of the last-minute details of life, the packing, and planning, and vacation had begun before I even landed at my destination. We followed our spa appointments with a soak in the private perfectly-warm soaking pool. Quick showers in our respective spa locker rooms and we were ready for the evening to unfold.
Officially checked-in and now walking to our room, we strolled past a conference room, two living rooms designed specifically for guests and located behind a key-pass door, and we were in our home for the night. Sparkling clean, king bed, and views of the trees. I am thinking I cannot wait to rest here before my 10-hour flight.
It’s time for a pre-dinner beverage.
Copperleaf Restaurant and Bar are located at the center of the property, with sweeping decks just outside for summer evening sipping. The Bar has a majestic long counter ideal for solo travelers to visit with mixologists over the latest news, and high top tables with floor to ceiling windows to take in the views on a rainy day. We needed a little pick-me-up from our relaxing afternoon and opted for nitro cold-brewed coffee. It wasn’t long until we moved on to their signature Copperleaf Manhattan.
Dinner was by the fire. We sipped Champagne and ordered a bottle of wine and we did what we have learned over many years of marriage, we ate slow, we enjoyed the dinner, we visited, we held hands across the table. Chef Adam Stevenson is worth an entire post! His expert skills and passion for what makes a great meal are bar none. The team that works alongside him all have the same care for attention to excellence.
Close your eyes and taste these from the menu. I ordered the beef:
Alaskan Halibut
Charred Rapini, Castelvetrano Olives, Heirloom Pepper Romesco, Chickpea Broth
Roasted La Belle Farm Duck
Pickled Beet Puree, Hazelnut-Foie Gras Kromesky, Caramelized Fennel, Cedarbrook Fennel Pollen Honey
Chef’s Featured Cut - Gleason Ranch Grass-Finished Beef (Brady, WA)
Root Vegetable Gratin, Potato Puree, Shallot Confit, Foraged Mushroom Butter
Using local ingredients is essential to Stevenson, and having a working relationship with the growers, ranchers, winemakers, etc, shows in every that is carefully plated and poured.
One of my favorite events that happens at Cedarbrook Lodge is a one-day festival built around heirloom tomatoes. Every fall, usually in September or early October, a pop-up market takes over the grounds and tomatoes are everywhere. I am eager to attend this event because a sweet vine-ripe tomato is about as good as it gets.
After a day of relaxing, and a full night’s sleep (on the Simmons® Beautyrest Black Georgetown pillow top bedding) I am rested and ready for my flight day. I spent the day and evening with my love, ate a hearty breakfast, kissed him goodbye and took the Cedarbrook Lodge Shuttle to the airport, not ten minutes away. He drove home with the car.
I’m a big fan of the romantic goodbye. It’s now a term we use when we are parting ways for weeks apart due to work trips.
At 1.8 miles from the airport, Cedarbrook Lodge is an oasis among busy urban streets. It’s the ultimate rest location for your next SeaTac departure. Let know when you find it!
